Cyber Threats to Watch Out for This Year

Cyber Threats to Watch Out for This Year

Is your organization prepared for the variety of cyber threats that are trending in 2018?

As more and more of us rely on digital devices to control our everyday lives, cybercrime continues to be a major issue. One essential way to prepare for these threats is to stay abreast of the latest types of attacks that have affected organizations around the globe.

An essential element of prevention is preparation. Below are several cyber threats that you should ensure you’re protected against as we make our way into the second quarter of 2018.

A standard approach to preventing cyber threats is no longer viable

For many years, the standard operating procedure to address cyber-threats was to gather and access a database of potential threats that was updated on a regular basis. This database was constantly checked by antivirus and malware tools to ensure a computer always stayed protected. The danger in this approach is that it’s always looking at past data to predict future behaviors. In an age where attacks are becoming much more complex – with some even using artificial intelligence to constantly morph to avoid detection – this old approach is no longer sufficient.

To combat these constantly changing attacks, companies are beginning to rely on what’s known as AI or behavior-based cybersecurity. This practice uses machine learning to determine a baseline that is deemed normal for any device, network, or suite of machines, and then constantly checks for any variances from that norm. This approach allows organizations to detect and react to cyber threats in real time as opposed to waiting for a certain attack to be picked up by a cybersecurity firm and added to a database of potential vulnerabilities.

Ransomware continues to be a growing problem

One of the most frequent cyber threats over the past few years has been ransomware attacks. Statistics show that in 2017, ransomware attacks increased by more than 2,500%. If you’re not familiar with ransomware, it’s a malicious piece of software that’s designed to completely block access to equipment and data until a sum of money is paid to the attackers.

While ransomware attacks once focused primarily on Windows PCs, today’s hackers are also targeting Macs and Linux machines as well as Android and iOS-powered smartphones and tablets. Industry experts contend that ransomware will continue to be a popular attack method for hackers in 2018.

Cloud providers are still big targets for cybercriminals

As companies move more and more of their critical data to the cloud, hackers will continue to target cloud providers in an effort to find any weaknesses. The larger cloud service providers like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have invested significant resources into cloud security, but some of the smaller outfits may not be as well protected.

It’s critical to understand how and where your data is being stored and to ask your provider tough questions about cloud security. It’s always best to be proactive prior to an attack rather than realize that your data was never as safe as you assumed.

Are IoT devices safe?

The Internet of Things (IoT) has enabled significant growth in a wide array of areas, including transportation, safety, and innovations in the home. While these are all great benefits both from an infrastructure and convenience standpoint, the use of so many devices that are all connected to the Internet and each other gives hackers more entry points to attack.

Think of the potentially catastrophic effect of hackers gaining access to IoT devices that are tied to a city’s electrical grid, or millions of internet-enabled thermostats. Companies need to be extremely careful as they begin to use IoT devices to ensure they’re properly secured. Fortunately, the use of blockchain to decentralize and secure the innumerable data transactions involved in IoT technology may be a promising solution.

Unsure of whether your current cybersecurity stance is strong enough?

If you’re concerned that your current cybersecurity efforts are insufficient, you’re probably right – and it may be time to schedule an evaluation by an expert. CyberGuard360 offers a full security suite that can take care of all of the necessary technology, in addition to helping you roll out procedures that help keep your systems and data protected. We also work to ensure you’re complying with any necessary regulations based on your individual industry, including